This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Deliciously gooey 5-minute Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn is simple, quick, and perfect for parties and holidays!
This gooey Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn takes minutes to make and is a delicious treat for any holiday, party, or movie night. Similar to Rice Krispie Treats and filled with simple ingredients, we have a feeling you’ll love this popcorn as much as we do!
marshmallow Popcorn goodness
Do you like Marshmallows? And do you like Popcorn? How about Caramel?
If you love all 3, then you’ll love today’s recipe for Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn. Believe us when we say that it is beyond addicting!
Turn this treat into Marshmallow Popcorn Balls and the kids will go crazy!
It is so easy to make and takes only 5 minutes. The best part is it’s so gooey good. If you’re looking for a great treat for parties and get-togethers – this is it! Or even a family movie night. We promise it will be a hit!
How to Make Marshmallow Popcorn
Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn takes just minutes to make!
POPCORN. Pop the popcorn and place it in a large bowl, remove unpopped kernels. Set aside.
CARAMEL. Melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Add brown sugar and corn syrup until well blended. Add marshmallows and stir continuously on low heat until all melted.
COMBINE. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and mix well. Spread popcorn on parchment paper or put it on a greased baking sheet and let set.
Recipe Tips
Amount in one bag of popcorn. One 3.28 oz bag of popcorn contains 5 tablespoons of un-popped kernels or about 11 cups of popped corn. There are 3 ways to get popcorn for this recipe:
- Buy 11 cups of plain pre-popped popcorn.
- Pop 5 tablespoons of your own kernels.
- Pop a bag of plain microwave popcorn.
Marshmallows. Substitute large marshmallows for mini marshmallows with a 1:10 ratio. For this recipe use 200 mini marshmallows or about 3 cups. Either way, remember old marshmallows won’t melt well.
Corn syrup substitute. There are a few options though they may alter the taste, but not by much. Substitute a 1:1 ratio of maple syrup or honey. In the UK the closest substitute is “Golden Syrup”.
- Make your own simple syrup: In a saucepan mix ¼ cup of water with 1 cup of granulated sugar. Simmer until the sugar has melted and makes a syrup.
Popcorn. Use any flavor of popcorn, but I prefer plain popcorn for this recipe. Kettle corn, salted popcorn, or lightly buttered popcorn work as well.
Don’t add extra popcorn or there won’t be enough caramel to hold them together. However, if you don’t add enough popcorn, the caramel will “melt” and it won’t hold its shape.
Easy cleanup. Grease your hands with cooking spray before forming the balls to prevent sticking.
Toppings. This popcorn really speaks for itself, but it can be fun to mix in a few colored sprinkles, little candies, chopped nuts, or mini chocolate chips. Do not add too many extras or the ratios will be off and the popcorn ball won’t stick together.
Storing Info
STORE all Marshmallow Popcorn together in an airtight container or wrap individual balls tightly with plastic wrap. The popcorn should last for 7-10 days at room temperature.
For more popcorn recipes:
- White Chocolate M&M Popcorn
- Easy Popcorn Balls
- Cookies and Cream Popcorn
- Birthday Cake Popcorn
- Caramel Popcorn
- Christmas Popcorn
Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 (3.2-ounce) bag plain microwave popcorn
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 20 large marshmallows or 3 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Pop popcorn and place in a large bowl, removing any un-popped kernels.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add brown sugar and corn syrup and cook, stirring, until well blended. Add marshmallows and stir continuously until all melted, about 5 minutes.
- Pour mixture over popcorn and mix well. Spread popcorn out on parchment paper or a greased baking sheet and let sit for about 10 minutes to set up.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe adapted from Raining Hot Coupons.
Your caramel marshmallow recipe is fabulous! I made this recipe into popcorn balls for Halloween last year. They were a hit. I’ve been asked to make them again this year.
So thank you!!!!
Happy Halloween
I love hearing that the recipe was so well liked that it’s been requested!
I usually make Rice Krispie treats in the microwave to melt the butter and sugar. Any reason why this couldn’t be done in the microwave as well since it makes clean up easier?
You could try it in the microwave!
5
My grandkids will love this thanks, I need to make this soon.
The taste was amazing but the caramel popcorn ended up crystal-ly. Did I over cook it or under cook?
I love this recipe. It’s delicious and the perfect soft texture!
This is one of my most FAVORITE treats!!!!!
Super easy and made with ingredients already in the pantry and oh so good and gooey !!! 🙂
Interesting recipe. I see you want the syrup done in an oven, have I read well?
The caramel marshmallow mixture from this recipe is actually made in a saucepan over the stove. 🙂
Love love this it is so awesomely yummy good
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the popcorn!
I’ve made a similar recipe for years without the syrup. I usually melt the butter and brown sugar and marshmallows in a large Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave. you have to watch it and stir occassionally. it caramelizes and turns slightly darker. so ha e the popcorn ready, when the caramel is done pour over the popcorn carefully stir it together and let it cool. after that enjoy the sugar coma 😀
Just made it. Turned out yummy & gooey !
Thanks. So quick & easy.
Happy you tried it! Thank you for making it & for letting me know!
My favorite recipe so far!! It’s so ooey gooey delicious! I usually double the recipe cause it goes so fast!
My favorite recipe so far!! It’s so ooey gooey delicious! I usually double the recipe cause it goes so fast!
I made this recipe, and forgot the karo syrup. However it was excellent without the syrup. What is the purpose of the syrup?
Such a good caramel popcorn ball!!!! Thank you for sharing!
Glad to hear that. It helps make it sweet & stick, but good to know it still works out without it!
Oh my gosh I can not wait to make this.
Hope you enjoy!!
Hi Kristyn, could I use marshmallow fluff? If so any idea how much? This looks sooo yummy, going to make & give as gifts for Christmas. Thank you! Have a wonderful holiday season!
I haven’t tried, but I am sure that would work 🙂
I used 1/2 unpopped kernels in my air popper and added a tablespoon of kosher salt, but I love the caramel and marshmallows together!
Hi Kristyn, thank you for the free ebook!! I love the recipes you INCLUDED. Just wanted to mention your opening paragraph about your family said 5 KIDs but there are 6 pictured.
I am so glad you like it! Not sure what paragraph it is, but it could have been written when I had 5 kids, but I am always updating our picture 🙂
Subbed corn syrup for honey! Came out great!
Great substitution!! Thanks for sharing that!
We make this for almost every movie night! Stays so yummy and gooey to eat the next day if you even have any leftover to eat.
We love it for movie night! Glad you do, too! Thank you!
Can’t wait to try thanks for recipe.
You are welcome! Enjoy!
This is absolutely delicious!!!
I am glad you think so! We love it, too! Thank you 🙂
delightfully delishes
Thank you so much!! I am glad you think so 🙂
How long stay cruncH
I walng to sell and Want to know Is stay hood clf daYs.
Wow! Looks amazing! – Melt butter in a medium pot on the oven? I believe you meant stove. Thank you for sharing!
Haha..yes 🙂 Thanks!
How much is one bag for the marshmallow popcorn?
Can you tell me how much in cups?
A bag of un-popped popcorn is close to 3 ounces (around that). I’m not quite sure how much it is, popped.
13 cups popped popcorn
Delish!
On the oven?
Mixing the other ingredients? Yes, all on the oven, to melt all together & get so creamy, smooth 🙂
I was thinking that was a typo. Typically it’d be on the stove or in the oven. If it’s in the oven what temperature?
Oops…it is the stove, I am not sure what I was thinking. In my mind I was thinking they were the same 🙂 LOL!!
I halved the ‘sauce’, added pretzels, m&ms, walnuts and pecans. We didn’t miss the extra sugar… Although I can imagine with the full serving it would be absolutly divine!
That sounds perfect!! Thank you for sharing! I will have to try 🙂
What size of bag of popcorn. Do you pop the whole thing. Can you tell me approximately how many cups of popcorn?
I can’t remember the ounces, but it’s just a normal size bag & yes, I pop the whole thing 🙂 Hope that helps 🙂
Would this work with canola oil or any other oil besides butter or coconut oil?
I haven’t tried. It should be ok. I’m sorry, I don’t know for sure. I guess there’s one way to find out 🙂
If there are leftovers, how are they stored?
I would store it in an air tight container or even a bag should be ok. It is sticky, so a container might be better. Enjoy!
This looks sooooo good!
It is!! We love it!! Hope you’ll try it!
Looks yummy, but I wish you would be more clear about the popcorn. Is it a bought bag of popped corn? an unpopped bag of microwave popcorn? a bag of unpopped kernels? I am taking this to mean a bag of microwave popcorn, but I see how it can cause confusion. 🙂 Just a suggestion! 🙂
It can be a bought bag or a pooped bag of microwave popcorn..it’s whatever you like, as long as it’s popped 🙂
Can you use puff corn instead of popcorn?
I haven’t tried, but I’m sure you could. It wouldn’t be quite the same, but I think it’d be fine. Let me know if you give it a try! Thank you!
Well I used the puff corn and it is really good!!! The sweet and salty go together real good.
Thank you so much for letting me know! I’m so glad it turned out!
Can you use hulless popcorn?
Of course 🙂 Hope you enjoy as much as we do!!
Be nice if you would put how many carbs,calories. Looks good thou
I’m sorry I don’t have that info. I’d have to look at each ingredient to get a count. It sure is good though! Thanks so much!
If you are making something with butter, brown sugar, marshmallows and syrup I think the calories and carbs and fat are a mute point??? Making this this weekend it looks incredible. Thank you!
LOL!! Enjoy!!
I stumbled across this and just happened to have the ingredients on hand, so My daughter and I made it. So delicious and sticky because I couldn’t wait for it to set.
This looks amazing! I want to make it but..I don’t really want to use corn syrup…is there anything else I can sub it for? D: I want some of this so badddd lol
I’ve always made it with corn syrup, but this may help. 😉
Oh wow Thank you!! :]
You’re welcome! 😀
I use pancake syrup!
I am so glad that you had fun with Alexandra Lily and that is cool that Gavin does t-ball
I mad this is weekend a d think I messed something up…. My Carmel poppopcorn ended up hard as a rock! Did I maybe heat the sugar mix too long? I love yourrecipies BTW! I’ve tried a few of them! My favorite so far is your glazed lemon zuchinni bread! Delicious!
How many mini-marshmellows would I use?
I’m interested in the number of mini marshmellows too! That is what I always have on hand 🙂
I’d say it’s just under half a bag of mini marshmallows. 😉
Looks scrumptious! Can you tell me what size of bag of popcorn you used and better yet, how many cups of popped popcorn (instead of using microwave popcorn) it would equal? Thanks.
I used a regular bag of popcorn which seemed to make about 3 – 3.5 cups of popcorn. 🙂
Lily has an ADORABLE smile!! And that caramel popcorn looks delicious, too. I HAVE to try this someday!! (If I remember)
I just used the regular size bag of unpopped popcorn. I don’t have one in front of me, to know the ounces. Sorry. And, it was just the microwave kind. I hope that helps!
Sounds delicious. Would this work on homemade Chex snack mix ? Cereal, nuts, and pretzels. Would it make the mixture soggy? What do you think?